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Bessie Nelson

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Bessie Nelson BIO

In a career spanning over 70 years, Bessie Nelson is regarded as one of the premier beading designers in the country. Born in1931, Bessie was 9 years old when her Aunt Jenny, a sample hand on Seventh Avenue in New York's garment district, became instrumental in peaking her interest in beadwork and teaching her the art. In 1972, Bessie moved to California. It was there that she worked in Hollywood on costumes for television's "Dynasty," "The Carol Burnett Show" and "The Sonny and Cher Show" in collaboration with Bob Mackie. She has created designs for Neil Diamond, Liberace, Lionel Richie and Diana Ross. Her former business partner, Stella Ruata, and she became well known for their work on Michael Jackson's famous white crystal glove, his socks and his beaded jackets. They were recognized as "the women behind the glove" and were featured in the media. Her artistry took her beyond the stage when Galanos asked her to bead First Lady Nancy Reagan's Inaugural Ball Gown and later was selected to bead Hillary Clinton's Inaugural Ball Gown. Bessie has collaborated with New York costume designers including William Ivey Long, Suzy Benzinger, Anthony Powell, Martin Pakledinaz, Greg Barnes, Ann Roth and Catherine Zuber. She worked closely with these famous designers and did the beadwork for shows on Broadway such as 'The Producers", "Sunset Boulevard", "Dreamgirls", "The Drowsy Chaperone", "Spamelot", "Miss Saigon", "Wicked", "The Boy From Oz", "Guys and Dolls", "Crazy For You", " A Chorus Line", "Beauty and the Beast", "Mama Mia", "The Lion King", "Macbeth", "Chicago", "The Color Purple", "Aladdin", "Frozen", "The King and I", "Hello Dolly", "The Donna Summer Musical" and many more. Bessie's beading appeared in motion pictures including "101 Dalmatians"for Glen Close, "My Best Friend's Wedding" for Julia Roberts, the remakes of "The Pink Panther" for Beyoncé, 'The Stepford Wives" for Bette Midler, Nicole Kidman and Glen Close, and "Sabrina" for Julia Ormon.. Don't mention retirement to Bessie Nelson, for this dynamo is still going strong today and possesses the same inner sparkle as the colorful beads she sews!

Bessie Nelson Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 2018 - Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre

Bessie Nelson

Bessie Nelson News


Ann Hould-Ward and Richard Hudson Receive TDF's Irene Sharaff Awards


TDF, the not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, has just announced that celebrated costume designer ANN HOULD-WARD and legendary scenic designer RICHARD HUDSON are among the 2024 TDF/Irene Sharaff Award recipients.

TONY AWARDS: THE BAND'S VISIT Leads with 10 Wins & CURSED CHILD Leads Plays with 6 Wins


This is the moment! The American Theatre Wing's 72nd Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles, air live from Radio City Music Hall on the CBS Television Network tonight, honoring theatre professionals for distinguished achievement on Broadway.

Tonight's the Night! BroadwayWorld's Complete Guide to Tonys Coverage - All You Need to Know About the Nominees, Schedule & More!


It's only a day away! The 72nd Annual Tony Awards will air on CBS tomorrow night, June 10 at 8pm and as usual, BroadwayWorld will be your one-stop shop for all things Tonys on Tonys Day, Night and Beyond!Today is the day! The 72nd Annual Tony Awards will air on CBS tonight (...tonight, won't be just any night), June 10 at 8pm and as usual, BroadwayWorld will be your one-stop shop for all things Tonys on Tonys Day, Night and Beyond!

Photo Coverage: Broadway Gathers to Toast Special Tony Honorees!


There is less than a week to go before the 72nd Annual Tony Awards, and last night the 2018 nominees got together for one of the last times before the big night to celebrate the Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre and Special Award Recipients.

Photo Coverage: Potter, Plastics, & More! The 2018 Tony Nominees Meet the Press


Everything's coming up Tonys! Spring has sprung, awards season has begun, and the latter is all that really matters to Broadway fans everywhere. Earlier this week, Katharine McPhee and Leslie Odom Jr. announced the 2018 Tony nominations, celebrating the best of the 2017-18 theatre season (and what a season it's been!). Leading the pack were Mean Girls and SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical with 12 nominations, followed by Angels in America, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel andThe Band's Visit with 11 and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two with 10. Click here for a full list of nominees!

Svelate le nomination per i Tony Awards 2018


Alle 14.40 ore italiane di oggi 1 maggio Katharine McPhee e Leslie Odom Jr. hanno annunciato i nomi delle opere teatrali (play e musical), suddivise per categorie, in gara per la prossima edizione dei Tony Awards che si terra il 10 giugno al Radio City Music Hall di New York.

2018 Tony Awards Nominees - Complete List! And the Nominees Are...


This year's TONY AWARDS nominations have just been announced by Katharine McPhee and Leslie Odom Jr. and here they are, celebrating the best of the 2017-18 theatre season (and what a season it's been!) The 2018 TONY AWARDS will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, on Sunday, June 10th on CBS. Our official Tony coverage kicks off - NOW!

Brief 4/26: THE ICEMAN COMETH Opens, Drama Desk Awards Nominations, and More!


Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: The Iceman Cometh opens on Broadway, Drama Desk Award nominations are announced, and more!

Sara Krulwich, Bessie Nelson and Ernest Winzer Cleaners to Receive The 2018 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre


The Tony Awards Administration Committee has announced that they will present the 2018 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre to three outstanding contributors to the Broadway industry - New York Times' culture photographer Sara Krulwich, costume beader, Bessie Nelson, and the Ernest Winzer Cleaners.

Holly Hynes and Zack Brown Among 2018 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awardees


Legendary ballet costume designer HOLLY HYNES and costume and scenic designer ZACK BROWN are among the 2018 TDF/Irene Sharaff Award recipients which were just announced by TDF, the not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts. Ms. Hynes was selected to receive the 2018 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design and Mr. Brown will receive the Robert L. B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. The awards are presented through TDF's Costume Collection. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 20, at 6:30pm, at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street).

Catherine Zuber and Tony Straiges Among 2017 Theatre Development Fund/Irene Sharaff Awardees


Six-time Tony Award-winning costume designer CATHERINE ZUBER and legendary scenic designer TONY STRAIGES are among the 2017 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients which were just announced by Theatre Development Fund (TDF), a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts.

FIDDLER and KING AND I Designer Michael Yeargan Among 2016 TDF/Irene Sharaff Honorees Tonight


Legendary scenic and costume designer, MICHAEL YEARGAN (currently represented on Broadway with Fiddler on the Roof and The King and I), and costume designer SUSAN TSU are among the 2016 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony tonight, May 20, at 6:30pm, at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street).

FIDDLER and KING AND I Designer Michael Yeargan Among 2016 TDF/Irene Sharaff Honorees


Legendary scenic and costume designer, MICHAEL YEARGAN (currently represented on Broadway with Fiddler on the Roof and The King and I), and costume designer SUSAN TSU are among the 2016 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 20, at 6:30pm, at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street).

Michael Yeargan and Susan Tsu Among 2016 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards Recipients


Legendary scenic and costume designer, MICHAEL YEARGAN (currently represented on Broadway with Fiddler on the Roof and The King and I), and costume designer SUSAN TSU are among the 2016 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 20, at 6:30pm, at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street).  Ms. Tsu was selected to receive the 2016 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design and Mr. Yeargan will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. The awards are presented through Theatre Development Fund's Costume Collection.

2012 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awardees Announced


Two-time Tony Award nominated costume designer Carrie Robbins, and scenic, lighting, costume designer and educator Lloyd Burlingame are among the 2012 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 4, at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Ms. Robbins was selected to receive the 2012 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Mr. Burlingame will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

Robin Wagner, Lewis Brown, et al. Win TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards


Three-time Tony Award-winning scenic designer ROBIN WAGNER and esteemed costume designer LEWIS BROWN are among the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Brown was selected to receive the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer Robin Wagner will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. Sadly, Mr. Brown passed away in January of 2011. His award will be accepted by his long-time colleague and friend, Albert Wolsky, who was the recipient of the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award

Robin Wagner, Lewis Brown, et al. Win TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards


Three-time Tony Award-winning scenic designer ROBIN WAGNER and esteemed costume designer LEWIS BROWN are among the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Brown was selected to receive the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer Robin Wagner will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. Sadly, Mr. Brown passed away in January of 2011. His award will be accepted by his long-time colleague and friend, Albert Wolsky, who was the recipient of the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award

TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards Honor Lee & Wolsky, 4/23


Legendary costume designer ALBERT WOLSKY and world renowned scenic designer MING CHO LEE are among the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 23 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Two-time Academy Award-winner Albert Wolsky will receive the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer and educator Ming Cho Lee will receive the TDF/Irene Sharaff Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

Wolsky, Ming, Vietti and Ridge Receive 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards


Legendary costume designer ALBERT WOLSKY and world renowned scenic designer MING CHO LEE are among the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 23 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Two-time Academy Award-winner Albert Wolsky will receive the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer and educator Ming Cho Lee will receive the TDF/Irene Sharaff Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards Honor Lee & Wolsky, 4/23


Legendary costume designer ALBERT WOLSKY and world renowned scenic designer MING CHO LEE are among the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 23 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Two-time Academy Award-winner Albert Wolsky will receive the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer and educator Ming Cho Lee will receive the TDF/Irene Sharaff Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

Bessie Nelson FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Bessie Nelson been nominated for?

Bessie Nelson has been nominated for Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre (Tony Awards).

What awards has Bessie Nelson won?

Bessie Nelson has won Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre (Tony Awards).

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